Commercial Wrecker Industry Advise?

Darkbloodmon

Darkbloodmon

Active Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2020
Location
Concord, NC
Considering getting my CDL and looking into a few Commercial Wrecker Companies in my area, I'm currently driving a roll back for AAA dispatched out of center city Charlotte, It'll be a year for me in March but I'm not happy with the games middle management and cooperate payroll are playing. My overtime is being metered out, and payroll is shifting numbers around/missing correct payouts. Despite my tenure in the roadside recovery industry I am objectively one of the best drivers in the fleet if not the best driver hired within the last year in all measurable aspects.

Can anyone talk to me about the industry? I'm interested in learning about the pay structure/expected salary/benefits, working conditions/work-life. I'm single and unattached without dependents. The longer I can stay on the road the better, until someone finds and shares a way to make more money sitting at home.

I know Hunter towing is a pretty big outfit in the commercial wrecker industry, i've seen a few others that I forget the names off driving around SC.
 
Darkbloodmon said:
Considering getting my CDL and looking into a few Commercial Wrecker Companies in my area, I'm currently driving a roll back for AAA dispatched out of center city Charlotte, It'll be a year for me in March but I'm not happy with the games middle management and cooperate payroll are playing. My overtime is being metered out, and payroll is shifting numbers around/missing correct payouts. Despite my tenure in the roadside recovery industry I am objectively one of the best drivers in the fleet if not the best driver hired within the last year in all measurable aspects.

Can anyone talk to me about the industry? I'm interested in learning about the pay structure/expected salary/benefits, working conditions/work-life. I'm single and unattached without dependents. The longer I can stay on the road the better, until someone finds and shares a way to make more money sitting at home.

I know Hunter towing is a pretty big outfit in the commercial wrecker industry, i've seen a few others that I forget the names off driving around SC.
Click to expand...
I have nothing useful to add about most of this, but Stanley Automotive is another fairly big one on the west side of Charlotte, and they have some nice trucks. Another thought, I see Berry's Container Service running rolloff trucks all over the place, and that might be an improvement compared to running a wrecker.
 
Last edited:
Darkbloodmon said:
Despite my tenure in the roadside recovery industry I am objectively one of the best drivers in the fleet if not the best driver hired within the last year in all measurable aspects.
Click to expand...
Also, just my personal opinion here, if you think like this, you will never be happy anywhere. Even if it's true.
 
jeepinmatt said:
IAnother thought, I see Berry's Container Service running rolloff trucks all over the place, and that might be an improvement compared to running a wrecker.
Click to expand...
@tw89yj

1673023118527.png
 
jeepinmatt said:
I have nothing useful to add about most of this, but Stanley Automotive is another fairly big one on the west side of Charlotte, and they have some nice trucks. Another thought, I see Berry's Container Service running rolloff trucks all over the place, and that might be an improvement compared to running a wrecker.
Click to expand...
The owner of Berry's is a weirdo.

:flipoff2:
 
Check out Fulps. I see them quite a bit and they are a huge operation that does everything from rollbacks to hazmat cleanup. Ive seen these cats pull up with the pretty pink trailer and enough equipment to move a mountain.


williamfulpswreckerservice.com

Gallery

By choosing a highly qualified towing and recovery company such as Fulp’s, you expect results. Our large and varied fleet of equipment allows us to combine whatever equipment is necessary to ensure…
williamfulpswreckerservice.com
 
Last edited:
jeepinmatt said:
Also, just my personal opinion here, if you think like this, you will never be happy anywhere. Even if it's true.
Click to expand...

Fair, but there isn't a humble way to express the contrast in my professionalism and work ethic. I'm trying something different for the new year. People see more in me than I see in myself, too much of anything is detrimental even humility. I appreciate your advise though.
 
jeepinmatt said:
I see Berry's Container Service running rolloff trucks all over the place, and that might be an improvement compared to running a wrecker.
Click to expand...
I'd like to stay in the road side recovery, one of the best parts of the job I love is the problem solving challenges on the day to day keeping me sharp.
 
jeepinmatt said:
Also, just my personal opinion here, if you think like this, you will never be happy anywhere. Even if it's true.
Click to expand...

Keeping the theme along the lines of what @Ron said...

There's no graceful way to say this:

3tpyuh.jpg



My buddy, Mike, down this way that owns/operates Gray's Towing has made an absolute killing. He's got two big wreckers and one or two hauling units. They drag shit all over NC, up to Ohio, down to Florida, and have even been as far west as Vegas. Plus, with the bases around here and the gub'ment auction sites, they'll take the big wrecker and hauling unit on bases, load up equipment, and bring it back to their yard for pickup. Makes it easier for the customer to get it and makes them mo' money.

If I was looking, I'd work for somebody like that. A go getter that owns it, but still runs a truck every day. His wife does the payroll and dispatch.
 
Shitty attitude and opinion's aside, A man not paying an employee for work on time is BS had it happen one time. I asked guy if his house was made of wood and he gave a weird look, I said I'd hate for that money to catch fire tonight with your wife and kids inside. I got paid and quit that day.
 
Jody Treadway said:
The owner of Berry's is a weirdo.

:flipoff2:
Click to expand...
Don't think I meet him in person, but he tried to get me back when he was starting out. Not sure, but I think it still a small outfit, & wanted me to work on a 1099. I haven't checked them , but Ram, was advertising for Dump truck & Concrete truck drivers, around Charlotte. Offering a great salary, depending on experience. New company, so, beware. There are 2 -3 New concrete companies, that have opened in the Denver area, in the last year. There's always Concrete Supply, & some other long time companies. No idea what wrecker drivers get, but I Know what they charge! $500 minimum, for a Tandam truck!
 
rodney eppes said:
Don't think I meet him in person, but he tried to get me back when he was starting out. Not sure, but I think it still a small outfit, & wanted me to work on a 1099. I haven't checked them , but Ram, was advertising for Dump truck & Concrete truck drivers, around Charlotte. Offering a great salary, depending on experience. New company, so, beware. There are 2 -3 New concrete companies, that have opened in the Denver area, in the last year. There's always Concrete Supply, & some other long time companies. No idea what wrecker drivers get, but I Know what they charge! $500 minimum, for a Tandam truck!
Click to expand...
The owner is a close personal friend of mine and has been for years.
It was a joke. Hence the flipoff emoji 🙂
 
Last edited:
Jody Treadway said:
The owner is a close personal friend of mine and has been for years.
It was a joke. Hence the :flipoff: emoji 🙂
Click to expand...
Isn't he an OG Mud Booger or a Big Dixie Devil or some shit?
 
JSJJ388 said:
Check out Fulps. I see them quite a bit and they are a huge operation that does everything from rollbacks to hazmat cleanup. Ive seen these cats pull up with the pretty pink trailer and enough equipment to move a mountain.


williamfulpswreckerservice.com

Gallery

By choosing a highly qualified towing and recovery company such as Fulp’s, you expect results. Our large and varied fleet of equipment allows us to combine whatever equipment is necessary to ensure…
williamfulpswreckerservice.com
Click to expand...
I know a couple of the Fulp's. They are good folks.
 
Paul said:
Isn't he an OG Mud Booger or a Big Dixie Devil or some shit?
Click to expand...
I don’t know what gang colors he wears - but I know he’s a friend and a good dude.

He’s on the if he calls I’m dropping and heading list.’
 
I still have phone calls to make, and I've been grabbing a few cards from commercial wreckers pulled over at fuel stations; but does anyone know the CDL requirements?

I did a tire change as my last call tonight and by chance luck I'd towed this guys vehicles last year and he remembered me. We got to talking about why the infinity QX wheels he put on his 03 Tahoe weren't fitting right ( wheels don't have a conical seat and the lugs need a thin wall socket to install because of the smaller gap between the lug seat and rim) and he asked me if I was interested in getting my CDL being that he had a driving school, stating that'd he be able to work out pricing/a discount with me (he's trying to get an Amazon Contract). Sent him an email for more details. Just got through reading the recent CDL thread/testing tips and was gonna ask if anyone's gotten their CDL after the Feb changes and what that process was like?

One of the drivers I talked to at a fuel station was from Hunter towing (Charlotte based), he mentioned they'd start me out on a roll back first when I asked about the CDL requirements, then I'd work my way up. Which is a fine response for another driver asking if your company is hiring off the street. But... I'd like to go in aiming for the head with full licensing in hand. I'm thinking about putting together a portfolio of some of my most difficult and challenging calls to present; to give me more of an edge.
 
Darkbloodmon said:
I still have phone calls to make, and I've been grabbing a few cards from commercial wreckers pulled over at fuel stations; but does anyone know the CDL requirements?

I did a tire change as my last call tonight and by chance luck I'd towed this guys vehicles last year and he remembered me. We got to talking about why the infinity QX wheels he put on his 03 Tahoe weren't fitting right ( wheels don't have a conical seat and the lugs need a thin wall socket to install because of the smaller gap between the lug seat and rim) and he asked me if I was interested in getting my CDL being that he had a driving school, stating that'd he be able to work out pricing/a discount with me (he's trying to get an Amazon Contract). Sent him an email for more details. Just got through reading the recent CDL thread/testing tips and was gonna ask if anyone's gotten their CDL after the Feb changes and what that process was like?

One of the drivers I talked to at a fuel station was from Hunter towing (Charlotte based), he mentioned they'd start me out on a roll back first when I asked about the CDL requirements, then I'd work my way up. Which is a fine response for another driver asking if your company is hiring off the street. But... I'd like to go in aiming for the head with full licensing in hand. I'm thinking about putting together a portfolio of some of my most difficult and challenging calls to present; to give me more of an edge.
Click to expand...
We hire a bunch of commercial wrecker/towing/rollback companies for equipment hauling.
I’ve used hunter a bunch - though not in a while.
Most companies - regardless of your experience are going to put you in their smallest cheapest equipment first until they see you operate it consistently and safely.
Thinking is - if you are going to fawk something up let’s keep it as small as possible.
 
Last edited:
Ron said:
Most companies - regardless of your experience are going to put you in their smallest cheapest equipment first until they see you operate it consistently and safely.
Thinking is - if you are going to fawk something up let’s keep it as small as possible.
Click to expand...

This is correct. Beyond that you've only been doing it a year so still pretty green.
It will be tough to keep your full time job and still have time to take the classes but a few offer weekend classes. If you go here you can find all of the eligible providers

Find a Provider

tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov
 
Ron said:
Most companies - regardless of your experience are going to put you in their smallest cheapest equipment first until they see you operate it consistently and safely.
Thinking is - if you are going to fawk something up let’s keep it as small as possible.
Click to expand...
Fair. But I'll let my work speak for itself.
 
braxton357 said:
It will be tough to keep your full time job and still have time to take the classes but a few offer weekend classes. If you go here you can find all of the eligible providers
Click to expand...

Aye that's my concern; scheduling. I've been on the guberment site a few times and browsed some of the webpages it linked.
 
benXJ said:
Wait....did I see something about someone trying to run infinity qx wheels on a Tahoe? And they keep having problems but keep trying to use them?
Click to expand...
They worked kinda...... back story is the guy bought them for the tires which I do all the time but..... iirc some Nissan wheels use a protrusion style lug nut that centers the wheel instead of a conical seat like the Tahoe has. He had a shop put them on and they essentially said "ok OJ", slammed the wheels on there using the hub bore to center the wheel and impacted the conical lugs on. The Infinity wheels have a flat face seat for the lug nuts.
 
Back
Top